The effects of work-related and individual factors on the Work Ability Index: a systematic review

Abstract

This paper systematically reviews the scientific literature on the effects of individual and work-related factors on the Work Ability Index (WAI). Studies on work ability published from 1985 to 2006 were identified through a structured search in PubMed, and Web of Science. Studies were included if the WAI was used as measure of work ability and if quantitative information was presented on determinants of work ability. In total, 20 studies were included with 14 cross-sectional studies and six longitudinal studies. Factors associated with poor work ability, as defined by WAI, were lack of leisure-time vigorous physical activity, poor musculoskeletal capacity, older age, obesity, high mental work demands, lack of autonomy, poor physical work environment, and high physical work load. The WAI is associated with individual characteristics, lifestyle, demands at work, and physical condition. This multifactorial nature of work ability should be taken into account in health promotion programmes aimed at maintaining and promoting the participation of the labour force and improvement of the performance at work.

Workplace strength training prevents deterioration of work ability among workers with chronic pain and work disability: a randomized controlled trial

“…Furthermore, physical coordination training and cognitive behavioral training had no effect on work ability and neck/ shoulder pain among female cleaners (23). In line with these reports, van den Berg (14) concluded that the multifactorial nature of the WAI should be taken into account in health promotion programs aimed at maintaining and promoting the participation of the labor force and improvement of the performance at work. However, high drop-out rates, low adherence or incomplete questionnaire replies were present in most of the above studies, underlining the difficulties in implementing effective interventional studies at the workplace.…”

“…Numerous intervention studies focusing on WAI have been conducted, however, no or only minor changes have been reported (14,(21)(22)(23). Blangsted (21) proved specific strength training and general physical activity to be effective in reducing neck and shoulder pain symptoms among office workers compared with inactive controls, however no change in WAI was observed.…”

“…As a multidimensional instrument, the work ability index (WAI) has been associated with musculoskeletal pain, chronic disease, productivity, sickness absence, early retirement and all-cause mortality (7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Additionally, workers exposed to highly repetitive and forceful exertion, lack of sufficient recovery, and awkward postures (12,13) have an elevated risk of both impaired work ability and musculoskeletal disorders (14)(15)(16). To prevent premature exit from the labor market, effective occupational interventions to prevent deterioration of work ability among employees with high physical work demands are warranted.…”

Ergonomic Evaluation of the Perceived Mental Workload among Tunisian University Hospital Caregivers

“…Pathological conditions, including MSDs and obesity, are perceived as an obstacle and as an additional constraint to the activity. These conditions are added to the real difficulties of a proper exercise of care among this affected caregiver [26]. Caregivers feel that their resources are reduced and insufficient to deal with requires of the task.…”

Factors Affecting Prolonged Working Life for the Older Workforce: the Swedish Case

“…Previous research has found several such factors to be of importance for the retirement process (van den Berg et al, 2008). In general, dissatisfying jobs and jobs with high physical and psychological demands are believed to push employees into retirement, while creative and complex jobs seem to retain workers in employment (Elovainio et al, 2005;Gobeski & Beehr, 2009;Hayward et al, 1989;Kubicek et al, 2010;Lin, 2001;Szubert & Sobala, 2005;Wang, 2007).…”